Yu-Gi-Oh!: I use an Orichalcos deck

"Is something the matter?" You Ji asked warily.

Zhao Mingkai leaned closer and lowered his voice: "Don't think you're something special just because you won one exhibition match. The professional qualifiers aren't child's play. You'll understand why the mainstream decks are mainstream when the time comes."

Yuki gripped his backpack strap tightly. "I'm just dueling in my own way."

"Ha! Naive." Zhao Mingkai sneered. "I'll wait and see you get wrecked by a professional player." With that, he deliberately bumped into You Ji's shoulder and strode away.

You Ji stood there, a tightness in his chest. Zhao Mingkai's words struck a chord with his deepest doubts—could yesterday's victory really be replicated? Opponents in professional matches don't underestimate their opponents.

Ignore him.

You Ji turned around and saw Su Yuqing standing behind him, holding two cartons of milk. "Here, breakfast." Zhao Mingkai was eliminated in the first round of the qualifying competition last year; he was just jealous.

Yuki took the milk and forced a smile. "Thank you... I was just thinking, professional players are really strong."

"But you're not weak either!" Su Yuqing said firmly. "Shall we meet at our usual spot after school? I've got an idea to strengthen your deck."

All day, You Ji was distracted. In class, he secretly scribbled down deck-building adjustments in his notebook; during lunch break, he studied professional players' match replays on his phone alone by the playground. Lin Xiang's invitation was both an opportunity and a pressure; he had to be fully prepared.

After school, You Ji arrived at Old Chen's Card Shop as promised. When he pushed open the door, Su Yuqing was already having a heated discussion with Old Chen behind the counter, with several thick card catalogs spread out on the table.

"Perfect timing!" Su Yuqing waved him over, "Grandpa Chen and I have found a few cards that might be suitable for your deck!"

Old Chen pushed over a few cards: These are overpowered support cards issued in the early years. Few people use them now, but they should be good for your tactical style.

Yuki examined the cards closely, and one of them, "Xyz Gift," caught his attention. This card... allows you to draw two cards by releasing an Xyz Monster?

Yes, although you lose an Xyz unit, you can quickly replenish your hand. Old Chen explained, "Your deck has strong burst damage but lacks sustainability, and this card can make up for that weakness."

Yuji's eyes lit up. Thank you so much! These cards... must be expensive, right?

Old Chen waved his hand: "It'll just gather dust here anyway, you can have it." Seeing young people rediscover their passion for Xyz Summoning is more valuable than anything else.

Over the next few hours, the three engaged in a lively discussion about deck building. Su Yuqing proposed several ingenious combo ideas, while Lao Chen shared his experiences from competing in his younger days. You Ji felt his tactical perspective had suddenly broadened considerably.

By the way, regarding Soul Resonance... Yuuki remembered something and drew Galaxy Eyes Photon Dragon from his deck. Can this resonance enhance card effects?

Old Chen pondered for a moment: "As far as I know, resonance doesn't change card effects, but it does increase the synchronization rate between the duelist and the deck. Simply put, you'll draw the cards you need more easily, and your gameplay will be smoother."

"It's like telepathy!" Su Yuqing added excitedly.

Yu Ji nodded thoughtfully. No wonder he always managed to draw crucial cards at critical moments during yesterday's match, as if the deck was responding to his needs.

As night deepened, the three had to end their discussion. Before leaving, Old Chen mysteriously called Youji back: "Kid, there's something you should know. Legend has it that when soul resonance reaches a certain level, the card will reveal its hidden power."

"Hidden power?" You Ji and Su Yuqing asked in unison.

Old Chen nodded: "It's just a legend... but records show that Yugi Muto's Dark Magician and Seto Kaiba's Blue-Eyes White Dragon both displayed abilities beyond what's depicted on their cards. Your Galaxy Eyes... might also hold some secret."

On his way home, Youji kept thinking about Old Chen's words. He took out the Galaxy Eye Photon Dragon and examined it carefully by the light of the street lamp. The card gleamed faintly in the moonlight, and the dragon's eyes seemed to be staring at him, lifelike.

"Hidden power...?" Yuki murmured to himself.

For the next two weeks, Yuki's life became more fulfilling than ever before. He attended school during the day and practiced with Su Yuqing at the card shop until late at night after school. They simulated various match scenarios and tested strategies for dealing with different mainstream decks. Although Su Yuqing claimed to be just an enthusiast, her dueling skills were surprisingly high, pushing Yuki to the brink of defeat several times.

He lost again... Yuji collapsed on the floor of the card shop, watching Su Yuqing's Radiant Dragon deliver the final blow.

"But you're holding out for longer and longer rounds!" Su Yuqing encouraged, "And that move of exchanging tons of gifts for resources just now was brilliant!"

Old Chen handed over two cups of hot cocoa from behind the counter: "Your progress is obvious. However, psychological warfare is also very important in professional competitions; you need to learn to conceal your tactical intentions."

Yuji sat up and took the drink. Psychological warfare?

For example, deliberately exposing weaknesses to lure the opponent into making rash moves, or feigning insufficient resources to force the opponent to lower their guard. Old Chen explained that top duelists are all masters of psychology.

Su Yuqing suddenly clapped her hands: I have an idea! Yuji, you can feign weakness in the early stages, making your opponents think that Xyz decks are nothing special, and then launch a fatal blow when they are careless!

Just like what I did to Lin Xiang... You Ji seemed thoughtful. In that match, he did indeed take advantage of his opponent's underestimation of him.

Chapter 305 Guardians of the Galaxy

Practice matches came one after another, and Yuuki's deck was constantly being fine-tuned. As his synergy with the deck improved, the Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon glowed more and more frequently, sometimes even briefly boosting its attack power during duels—this exceeded the effect described in the card's description, confirming Old Chen's statement about hidden power.

Three days before the qualifying rounds, You Ji received his competition credentials and schedule from Lin Xiang. The competition, to be held at the Municipal Gymnasium, would last two days and involve 128 players. The top eight would qualify for the professional league's preliminary rounds.

"Are you nervous?" Su Yuqing asked on the way home from school.

You Ji nodded honestly: A little. I heard that several regional champions are participating this time.

But you're the one who defeated the national champion! Su Yuqing patted his shoulder - "Oh, right, this is for you."

She took a handmade amulet from her bag, embroidered with the classic Xyz Summoning pattern—two cards stacked together, from which starlight burst forth.

"I made this myself, so it might be a little ugly..." Su Yuqing said shyly, "but I hope it brings you good luck."

Yuji accepted the amulet, a warm feeling welling up inside him. Thank you... This is the best gift I've ever received.

The two smiled at each other, the setting sun casting long shadows.

On the day of the qualifying rounds, the area outside the Municipal Gymnasium was packed with people. Contestants, reporters, and spectators filled the entrance. You Ji, clutching his card deck, searched for the registration area in the crowd. Su Yuqing and Lao Chen had promised to come watch, but with so many people, it was difficult to find them.

Yuki! Over here!

Lin Xiang waved to him from the entrance of the athletes' passage. Today, Lin Xiang was dressed in a formal suit with a staff badge hanging on his chest.

Are you ready? Lin Xiang led him to the registration area. The opponent for the first round had been determined. It was the third place winner in the West District qualifiers, who was using the Reincarnation Flame Beast deck.

Yuki's heart tightened. Reincarnated Flame Beast is a Tier 1 Link Summoning deck in the current meta, known for its rapid deployment and powerful disruption.

Don't worry too much. Lin Xiang seemed to sense his nervousness. Remember, your advantage lies in your opponent's unfamiliarity with Xyz deck tactics. Play to your strengths.

After receiving his entry pass, Yuki was led to the players' rest area. It was already packed with duelists, most of them finalizing their decks or refining their tactics. Yuki found a corner to sit down, taking a deep breath to calm his racing heart.

Hey, isn't this our Overload Master?

The familiar voice made Youji look up. Zhao Mingkai stood before him with several members of the Duel Club, a mocking smile on his face.

"You're participating too?" Yu Ji was somewhat surprised.

"Of course, I'm the president of the school's dueling club." Zhao Mingkai waved his entry card boastfully, "But a wildcard player like you will be eliminated in the first round, right?"

Yuki didn't reply, but simply looked down and checked his deck again. Zhao Mingkai, feeling bored, left with his companions, but before leaving, he said, "I'll be watching your match closely, but don't lose too badly."

The loudspeaker announced that the match was about to begin. Yuki followed the instructions and went to stage 17, where his opponent was already waiting—a boy with dyed red hair, impatiently tapping his duel disk with his fingers.

"Finally here? I thought you forfeited." The red-haired boy sneered. "I heard you're using an Xyz deck? How retro."

Yuuki ignored the provocation and quietly set up his deck and duel disk. Nice to meet you.

After the referee confirmed that both sides were ready, he announced the start of the match.

DUEL!

With the electronic referee's announcement, the duel between Yuuki and the red-haired boy officially began. The noise in the stadium seemed to fade away instantly, and Yuuki's eyes were filled only with the duel disk and his hand. Five starting cards unfolded in his hand—Metroid, Photon Lizard, Xyz Revive, and two Galactic Expeditions.

I'll take the first strike! The red-haired boy seized the initiative and quickly launched his attack, activating the effect of Reincarnated Flame Beast Armadillo Lizard to Special Summon Reincarnated Flame Beast Peacock from his Deck!

Yuki calmly observed the monsters rapidly spreading across his opponent's field. The Reincarnation Salammon deck revolved around Link Summoning, allowing it to establish a powerful pressure field in the first turn. As expected, the red-haired boy quickly summoned Reincarnation Salammon Unicorn Rabbit from the Extra Monster Zone and positioned it in his backrow.

Two cards are set to the top, turn over! The opponent proudly declares, "Come on, let me see what your outdated Xyz deck can do!"

Yuki took a deep breath and drew a card. My turn, draw a card!

The newly drawn card is Galactic Magus. Yuuki quickly scanned his hand, a tactical combination forming in his mind. He raised the Galactic Warrior in his hand: Normal Summon Galactic Warrior! Activate its effect, adding a Photon Card from the Deck to your hand!

The Duel Disk automatically searched, and Yuuki selected Photon Slasher to add to his hand. Immediately afterwards, he activated Galactic Expedition: Pay 1000 Life Points to Special Summon Photon Lizard and Photon Slasher from his hand!

Three beams of light flashed across the arena, and the Galactic Warrior, the Photon Lizard, and the Photon Slasher stood side by side.

"Oh? It can cover the entire area so quickly?" The red-haired boy was slightly surprised, but quickly curled his lip in disdain. "What can these small monsters do?"

Yuki ignored him and continued: I'll stack a Level 4 Metroid and a Photon Lizard! I'll construct an Xyz Network with two monsters and XYZ Summon! Appear, Gellerchian the Radiant Emperor!

A burst of dazzling starlight erupted on the battlefield as an Xyz Monster clad in magnificent armor descended upon the arena. A gasp of amazement rose from the stands—in this era dominated by Link Summoning, the spectacular sight of an Xyz Summon was a rare treat.

Activate the effect of Radiant Emperor, remove one Xyz Material, and add one Galaxy Spell/Trap Card from your Deck to your hand! Yuuki chose Galaxy Cyclone to add to his hand, and then immediately activated another card in his hand: the Spell Card Xyz Gift! Tribute Radiant Emperor, and draw two cards from your Deck!

What? He actually unleashed his own Xyz Monster? The red-haired boy looked completely bewildered.

Without explanation, Yuki drew two new cards and immediately played one of them: the Spell Card XYZ Component! Banish Galactic Warrior and Photon Lizard from your Graveyard, and Special Summon one Xyz Monster of the same Level as them from your Extra Deck! Descend once more, Gellert the Radiant Emperor!

The light shone brightly once more, and the Radiant Emperor returned to the field. The murmurs from the audience grew even louder.

Is this... a resource cycle? The red-haired boy began to feel uneasy.

Battle Phase! Yuuki points at the Reincarnated Flame Beast Unicorn Rabbit on the opponent's field, and Radiant Emperor attacks Unicorn Rabbit!

"Fool! The unicorn rabbit can't be destroyed in battle!" the red-haired boy shouted.

"I know," Yuki said calmly, "but this will trigger another effect of the Radiant Emperor—it can increase attack power by 1000 when it declares an attack in battle!"

The Radiant Emperor's attack power instantly surged from 2000 to 3000, knocking the Unicorn Rabbit back with a single blow. Although the Unicorn Rabbit was not destroyed, the red-haired boy still suffered a difference of 1000 points of damage.

Set one card to end your turn. Yuuki finished his turn, leaving only Radiant Emperor and one card in the back row on the field.

"Hmph, all that fancy stuff, and all that damage?" The red-haired youth scoffed as he drew his card. "My turn! I'll show you the true power of a mainstream deck!"

He quickly launched a series of actions, summoning the Reincarnation Flame Beast Phoenix in the Extra Monster Zone via Link Summon, and attempted to destroy Yugi's Radiant Emperor with its effect.

Activate the trap card Guardians of the Galaxy! Yuuki immediately responds, making Radiant Emperor unaffected by the opponent's effects this turn!

What?! The red-haired youth gritted his teeth, "Then let's settle this with a fight!" The Fire Phoenix attacks the Radiant Emperor!

Both monsters had an attack power of 2000, so they should have been able to destroy each other. But at that very moment, the Shining Emperor on the field suddenly emitted a dazzling blue light!

"What is this...?" The red-haired boy was stunned.

Yuki also felt a surge of energy flowing into his body from the Duel Disk, and he instinctively shouted: "Radiant Emperor's Hidden Effect activated! When it battles a monster with the same ATK, it gains 500 ATK!"

"What nonsense! The card doesn't have that effect at all!" the red-haired boy protested angrily.

The referee quickly came over to examine Yuki's cards. Surprisingly, a line of text that hadn't appeared before did appear below the card description: "When battling a monster with the same ATK, this card gains 500 ATK."

"The effect is valid; the match continues," the referee announced.

The Phoenix was destroyed by the Radiant Emperor, and the red-haired boy suffered 500 points of damage, his face turning grim. No...impossible! How could an Xyz Spell deck...?

In the following rounds, Yuuki perfectly controlled the pace of the game. At crucial moments, his Xyz Monsters displayed abilities beyond their card descriptions, dismantling his opponent's tactics one by one. Finally, under the direct attack of Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon, the red-haired boy's Life Points reached zero.

"The victor is Yuki!" the referee announced loudly.

A burst of enthusiastic applause and cheers erupted from the audience. You Ji saw Su Yuqing and Lao Chen waving enthusiastically from the front row, their faces beaming with pride. To his even greater surprise, Lin Xiang was also standing not far away, giving him a thumbs-up.

This...this isn't fair! There's something wrong with his card effect! The red-haired boy protested angrily, but after inspection, the referee team confirmed that all of Yuki's actions were in accordance with the rules.

As Yuki stepped off the stage, he felt a slight warmth in his card deck. He quietly pulled it out and saw that the Galaxy Eyes Photon Dragon was emitting a soft blue light, as if it were smiling at him.